7 Comments
posted by Kristi
on Thursday, November 27, 2008 at 12:00 AM

The lovely Kris posted this meme on her blog earlier in the week, and because sleep deprivation has sapped all my Thanksgiving post originality, I shall steal her idea.

Here are the Top Ten Things I Love About Thanksgiving in no particular order:

1. Family Drama-Rama

We're not the type to scream and yell and throw fists full of mashed potatoes and grandma's cranberry relish at each other, but once all 20 or so of us have gathered around the table, it's only a matter of time before one of my very right-leaning relatives makes a political or social comment that incenses the very few of us on the left and then any tryptophan hangover evaporates. These "discussions" are the highlight of my day, as I'm always in the mood for a good argument. Just ask my husband.

2. Pumpkin Pie

Longtime readers might remember that I don't eat many vegetables. I'm a hugely picky eater, and while Thanksgiving is obviously all about the food, I eat only turkey, mashed potatoes, bread (at an Italian Thanksgiving, there's always bread), and of course, dessert. I make the pumpkin pies every year from a kick-ass Epicurious recipe. If you try it, let me know how the pies turn out.

3. No Commercialism

Despite the fact that my numerous tv viewing sessions have been bombarded with Black Friday ads for weeks now, the main reason I love Thanksgiving is that it's a holiday that doesn't come with a gift-buying obligation. The holiday celebrates food, gratitude, and family togetherness. In my world, it doesn't get any better than that.

4. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

I've been watching this every year since I was a kid. Love it! The hubs was anti-parade for many years, but recently became consumed by parade love. Was it the lip-synching teen stars? The ultra-cheesy, D-List-Star-Laden floats? We'll never know. Although, I suspect it might have something to do with an excuse for sitting on the couch in his pajamas for 3 hours eating...

5. Cinnamon Rolls!

Another tradition held over from my childhood. Watching the parade without cinnamon rolls is like eating a peanut butter sandwich without the jelly. Like macaroni without the sauce. Like cookies without the milk. You get the idea.

6. The Colors of the Season

Thanksgiving is a fall holiday, and I love the fall. It's my favorite time of year. Winter doesn't technically begin until December 21, and yet we've had snow on the ground here for weeks. It's still fall, dammit, and fall means orange and red leaves and ample excuses to buy Isabella more brown dresses.

7. Cookie-Baking Season Begins

Thanksgiving weekend marks the beginning of my great aunt's cookie factory. She transforms her small kitchen into a veritable bakery. She makes well over 3,000 cookies in dozens of varieties each year, and mails them to relatives all over the country. Of course, most of them stay within 10 miles of my house and make an appearance at each and every family holiday gathering. This is a good thing. A very, very good thing.

8. A Reason to Reflect on Life's Blessings

My life has been a chaotic mess since the twins came home. Most days, I'm lucky if I get a shower, remember to pay bills, and don't take off for the nearest border crossing after three solid hours of hearing two babies cry in unison. Today, though, I will remember all that I have to be grateful for: the children I once thought I would never have, the extended family who have been my saving grace these last six weeks, all of you who so faithfully read my ramblings on this blog, and Paul Rudd. I am really, really grateful for Paul Rudd.

9. Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

I seem to remember eating pumpkin pie ice cream, complete with pie crust pieces, at my grandma's house last Thanksgiving. Hopefully, we'll have it again this year, or else a gallon will soon make a brief appearance at my house in the next few days.

10. Thanksgiving II

Every Sunday we have dinner at my great aunt's house. She feeds 11 or 12 of us on Sunday, and purposefully cooks enough to then send us all home with leftovers for one-to-two meals during the week. Thanksgiving at my grandma's house is no different. Friday night, you'll find my family re-gathering at grandma's to eat Thanksgiving leftovers. This, in addition to the leftovers we all will have taken home with us tonight.

I hope you had a marvelous thanksgiving! I am quite jealous of your snow. It snowed here last night for only the 2nd time this year, and the first time it only lasted about an hour.... I can't wait for Brody to wake up and go play in it! =)

What a great list! I share so many of your favorites. We're definitely going to have to start the cinnamon rolls tradition during the parade. I looooove cinnamon rolls! I can't wait to try the pie. Thanks.

Quick Snapshot:

34-year-old writer andmother to a daughterborn in August 2006 followingIVF and girl/boy twins born in October 2008 following FET. Come along as I document the search for my lost intellect. It's a bumpy ride. Consider yourself warned.